Finally, they finished burning the paper and incense. After offering their prayers, they left nervously.
They were afraid that if the paper burned out, they wouldn’t be able to leave the stairwell.
Fortunately, they smoothly walked out, greeted by a gentle night breeze that dispelled some of the fear.
“Ah! Finally got rid of it!” exclaimed Wu Mabo, feeling like a new person. “I’ll never mess with this kind of thing again.”
Ke Lin chimed in, “If you ever mess with these things again, don’t blame us for kicking you out of the dorm.”
Wen Dong said, “As long as the issue is resolved.”
Tong Xiaosong also breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t because of the copper basin, and he hadn’t harmed everyone. Thankfully, he wouldn’t lose such good roommates.
Wu Mabo sniffled and suddenly said, “This smell, Tong Xiaosong, I just realized, you smell a bit like the smell of burning paper.”
Tong Xiaosong was surprised, looking at Wu Mabo.
Ke Lin sighed, “Now, all four of us smell like burning paper. After going back, take a good shower to get rid of the musty smell.”
Wu Mabo said, “No, I mean Tong Xiaosong usually…”
Wen Dong interrupted, “Alright, stop talking about it. It’s all in the past now. Let’s move on, and no one mention it again.”
Wu Mabo sighed, “Okay…”
Tong Xiaosong lowered his head and sniffed his armpit. Indeed, it was a familiar smell.
Similar to the person who violated him during the Four Corners game, the ghostly figure, and the copper basin…
So, was it really Gu Xuan who violated him that night?
Because of that night when Gu Xuan asked him to steal the copper basin, there was a faint hint of this smell on his body. Due to its subtle nature, it was somewhat like the fragrance of aloeswood.
However, the next day, when Gu Xuan approached him, he exuded a strong scent of perfume.
Could it be because of the copper basin?
Was this smell brought about by the copper basin, and would anyone or anything related to the copper basin acquire this scent?
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
Vfflcu Kbcu Wljbrbcu’r mbcmfgc, Qfc Gbcu mbwobgafv tlw, “Snfgsbcf tjr j yla bo j rwfii bc atfw, cb cffv ab yf bnfgis mbcmfgcfv.”
Kbcu Wljbrbcu gfrqbcvfv klat j ojlca jmxcbkifvuwfca.
Snfgsbcf mtjaafv jcv ijeutfv jr atfs gfaegcfv ab atf vbgw. Coafg olclrtlcu atflg tsulfcf gbealcfr abufatfg, atfs ijs vbkc ab riffq.
Fortunately, this night passed without any further anomalies.
***
The next day.
During lunch at the cafeteria, everyone felt fortunate to have escaped the potential danger.
Tong Xiaosong put down his tray and noticed that Wuma Bo was not with them. Curiously, he asked, “Isn’t Wu Mabo eating with us today?”
Ke Lin said, “Ah, he forgot his homework in the dorm and went back to get it.”
Wen Dong, eating and unable to suppress a laugh, said, “I suspect his homework was burned along with the paper money last night. The smoke was too thick yesterday, stinging our eyes, but I felt there were a few pages of paper that didn’t feel right, like the texture of homework paper.”
Ke Lin burst into laughter, “Even if he turns the dorm upside down, he won’t find his homework!”
Tong Xiaosong widened his eyes and pursed his lips. He didn’t find it amusing. Losing homework meant facing the teacher’s scolding, punishment, and public criticism in front of the whole class – a very unpleasant experience.
Ke Lin patted Tong Xiaosong on the shoulder, “Don’t look like that. It’s common for Da Bo not to do his homework. He’s thick-skinned and used to it. It’s just that this time, he’s genuinely innocent. I guess he’ll be quite upset.”
***
After cutting his hair, Tong Xiaosong’s demeanor underwent a change, and his days in the class became much better. It seemed like fewer people bullied him.
Occasionally, some male classmates would make sarcastic remarks, but whenever he heard them, there were always a few classmates who would stand up for him.
This made Tong Xiaosong more and more relaxed, especially with such good roommates by his side.
After finishing the evening classes, Tong Xiaosong walked briskly towards the dormitory. The dormitory he used to dread and fear had now become a place he eagerly wanted to return to, where he had friends with whom he could share things.
Opening the door and entering the dorm, Tong Xiaosong’s eyes sparkled with a smile, “Today, I was teased by some classmates, but others spoke up for me!”
As the words fell, there was no response.
All three roommates were inside, either standing or sitting, with serious expressions.
The smile on Tong Xiaosong’s face hesitated and faded, “What’s wrong?”
The atmosphere in the room was somewhat subtle, different from the usual friendly attitude. At this moment, the eyes of the other three roommates held a hint of scrutiny and hostility.
What’s going on?
Tong Xiaosong’s heart slowly sank, feeling a bit scared, afraid of losing the warmth he had just gained.
Wen Dong said in a deep voice, “Tong Xiaosong, is there something you’re hiding from us?”
Tong Xiaosong’s face turned pale all of a sudden, and the first thing that came to his mind was the copper basin.
Sure enough, next, Wu Mabo bent down and took out the copper basin from under his bed.
With a clatter, it fell to the ground.
Wu Mabo gritted his teeth and interrogated, “What is this? Don’t fucking tell me it’s your foot-washing basin! It’s obviously something used to burn paper for the dead!”
Just mentioning this made Wu Mabo shudder. He came back to find his homework, but unexpectedly, instead of finding the homework, he found this thing.
Ke Lin frowned, “What’s going on, Tong Xiaosong? Why are you carrying this thing and hiding it under the bed?”
“I…” Tong Xiaosong slowly lowered his head, his hands clenched nervously, involuntarily taking a step back. “I, I…”
How should he explain?
No matter how he explained it, the fact remained that this copper basin was ominous.
He concealed the existence of the copper basin from everyone, and moving into this dormitory was also a fact.
Seeing him hesitate, Wu Mabo sneered, “I’ve heard that some witchcraft is like this. They keep these things, then hide them under the bed, quietly harming people.”
Wen Dong said, “Da Bo, don’t be so harsh in your words for now. Tong Xiaosong, explain what’s going on. You have to speak up; many things you can’t just keep to yourself. Otherwise, how are we supposed to know? We can’t see what you’re thinking.”
Tong Xiaosong became nervous, and his eyes turned red. Trembling, he said in a low voice, “I, I don’t know…”
Wu Mabo, enraged, immediately roared to interrupt, “You don’t know!? You don’t know how this thing ended up under your bed! I’ve always wondered why you have the smell of burning paper on you! It’s the smell of this thing! I believe that your previous roommates bullied you. Did you use this kind of sorcery to harm them because they bullied you?”
How could that be!
Tong Xiaosong desperately refuted in his mind, but verbally, he stammered and faltered. In his anxiety, his voice even carried a sob, “I, I didn’t, how could I…”
“There’s nothing you can’t admit, Tong Xiaosong!” Wu Mabo glared, “But what I don’t understand is why you brought this thing into our dorm! Haven’t we been friendly enough to you! Explain yourself! Explain it to me right now!”
Tong Xiaosong’s body trembled, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
He couldn’t explain. No matter how he explained, the fact remained that this copper basin was an ominous thing. He wasn’t even sure if the basin would attract spirits.
Ke Lin and Wen Dong looked at Tong Xiaosong with complex expressions.
Wu Mabo stared at Tong Xiaosong with resentment, gnashing his teeth, “No wonder you were bullied, you deserve it!”
This statement seemed to pull away the last support for Tong Xiaosong. He swayed and shook his body, lowering his head completely, and choked out a sob.
“Fuck!” Wu Mabo viciously kicked the copper basin, “As if we were bullying you! Reflect on yourself! Haven’t we been good enough to you!?” Tong Xiaosong couldn’t find words. He stood there, as if he had returned to the time when he was isolated and bullied.
The three roommates looked at Tong Xiaosong with disappointed eyes, and after a few silent seconds, they dispersed, each going about their own business. However, no one paid attention to Tong Xiaosong anymore.
Inside the room, Tong Xiaosong felt like a transparent person.
Wu Mabo picked up the copper basin, walked out, and fiercely threw it into the trash can, making a loud sound that could be heard throughout the entire floor.
Tong Xiaosong, after finally stopping his sobbing, took out a book and, as he had done many times before, climbed onto his bed, drew the bed curtain, and turned on the old, dim night light.
Opening the book, he lowered his head to read the words on the pages, but tears silently dripped onto the book.
He opened his eyes wide, feeling a sour discomfort in his heart. He should have been used to it by now.
After just a few days of good times, was he already unable to adapt to this kind of life?
He should adapt; he should be like this.
Tong Xiaosong took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and decided that tomorrow he would go to the principal to request a return to his original dormitory.
He was better off alone. Being with others, he always ended up causing trouble for them.
Just like his sister, who was also burdened by him and could only work hard in the fields, despite being young and beautiful. It was clear that she should have had a better life, but she worked so hard.
Nooo my baby 😭 why are they so mean all of a sudden wth
NOOO poor Tong Xiao😭😭 hes so timid he can barely explain himself😔😔
I don’t really want them to die.
😭😭😭
Noooo….